In this follow-up episode of The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, host Mark Jewell continues his conversation with Jon "The Cowboy Coach" Anderson, Senior Success Coach at The Momentum Company. If you missed Part 1, go back and listen—it lays the foundation for today's discussion on leadership mistakes that create unnecessary stress, inefficiency, and disengagement.

In this episode, Mark and Jon expand on the final three mistakes that leaders make, revealing why accountability, coaching, and recognition are essential for a thriving workplace. Whether you're managing a team or looking to improve your leadership skills, this episode will challenge you to step up and lead with greater clarity and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

💡 People WANT Accountability – Despite what many think, employees crave structure and accountability because it provides them with direction and clarity. Without it, stress and uncertainty increase, leading to disengagement.

🏇 The Power of Coaching & Mentorship – Leadership isn’t about control; it’s about guidance. Like a rider with reins, a great leader knows when to give direction and when to step back, allowing people to grow while ensuring they don’t feel lost.

🎖 Recognition & Appreciation Drive Engagement – A staggering 60% of employees leave their jobs due to feeling unrecognized. Simply acknowledging good work can boost productivity by 23%, while genuine appreciation increases it by over 40%! Leaders who recognize and value their people see higher retention and stronger team performance.

🚀 Intentional Leadership Is a System, Not a Guessing Game – To lead effectively, leaders must have structured systems for setting expectations, providing direction, holding people accountable, and offering recognition.

📌 Notable Quotes:

📢 "People seek pressure so they can experience the release of pressure. They want accountability because it gives them clarity on where they stand." – Jon Anderson

📢 "The reins are not there to control—they're there to guide. Leaders should mentor their people, not micromanage them." – Jon Anderson

📢 "If you could invest in something that gave you a 23-46% increase in productivity, you'd do it in a heartbeat. That ‘something’ is recognition and appreciation." – Mark Jewell

🎯 Action Steps:

🔹 Evaluate Your Leadership Practices – Are you setting clear expectations? Are you providing guidance or just assuming your team knows what to do? Are you recognizing and appreciating your people?

🔹 Implement Regular Coaching & Feedback – Schedule consistent check-ins where you provide guidance, feedback, and accountability. If you only provide feedback when something is wrong, you’re missing a huge opportunity.

🔹 Create a Recognition & Appreciation System – Don’t just assume people know they’re valued—make it part of your leadership rhythm.

📣 Join Us for The Thriving Leader Event! 🚀

March 18-19, 2025 | Nashville, TN

🔥 The easiest way to level up your leadership is by immersing yourself in two days of high-impact training with our expert coaching team.

🎟 Register by February 21st to secure your spot!

📩 Email ani@themomentumcompany.com or visit